KINGSLEY EBERE
A 31-year old man, Onoche Francis, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for playing N.12m Bet9ja game and refusing to pay the money after he missed the numbers that won.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Francis, has been arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace under the Criminal Law.
The incident happened on 15th day of July, 2025, Opposite Genon Plaza Ilufe, Ojo area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the suspect went to the Bet9ja office, met with the female agent, Idume Adanma and played the game with the hope of winning but it turned out that the numbers he staked did not win.
He then refused to pay the money claiming that he can’t pay because he did not win as he had anticipated before he played the game.
The matter was reported to the Police at Ojo Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charge read:
“That you, Onoche Francis ‘M’ on the 15th day of July, 2025, at about 1750hrs Opposite Genon Plaza Ilufe, Ojo, in the Ojo Magisterial District, did unlawfully conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by playing Bet9ja game to the tune of the sum of N120,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) without payment to one IDUME ADANMA ‘F’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(c) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Simeon Uche, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.